Pina, Uva and more pets up for adoption in Phoenix-area shelters this week
Every year, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Of those, about 3.3 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats.
Each week, The Arizona Republic highlights a handful of the many pets up for adoption at Valley shelters. To check the status of a specific animal, please contact the shelter directly.
Pina and Uva: Sweetest sisters
The Arizona Humane Society has been incredibly busy all year long due to an increased amount of sick, injured and abused pets coming through its doors. Not just in the busy summer months when AHS’ Field Team responds to dozens of calls for pets in heat distress per day (along with an elongated cat and kitten season) but throughout the entire year.
A huge increase AHS has seen is in owner surrenders due to people struggling with financial hardships, lack of affordable or accommodating housing, job instability, medical emergencies and more. Each month, AHS receives approximately 500 applications from people who are looking to surrender their pets. An unfortunate situation that is heartbreaking to even fathom.
Two pets from such a case are Pina and Uva (meaning pineapple and grape in Spanish) who came from a home where they simply were not able to care for them any longer. The 1-year-old Cairn terrier mix sisters can be a bit timid and shy but quickly open up with pets and slow interactions. After an evaluation with AHS’ Behavior Team, it was determined that these two are Best Buddies meaning they need to go home together!
How to adopt: Interested adopters can meet petite Pina and uh-mazing Uva at the Arizona Humane Society’s South Mountain location. Their adoption fee is two-for-one and includes their spay surgeries, current vaccinations, microchips, and a follow-up wellness exam with a VCA Animal Hospital. Visit azhumane.org/adopt to learn more and see all of AHS’ adoptable pets.
— Kelsey Dickerson, Arizona Humane Society
Cortexa: Mellow and sweet
Cortexa and her two babies were dumped at a local business and were brought to Sun Cities 4 Paws Rescue. The kittens have since been adopted, together, leaving Cortexa to now find her loving home.
This 1-year-old is a beautiful black and white tuxedo.
Mellow is the word that best describes her, sweet is another. Cortexa is a lap cat and gets along with other cats.
Although she and her babies carry the feline leukemia virus, that simply means that their immune systems are not up to normal standards. Cats such as these can live long and healthy lives in most cases, especially when they are kept indoors away from possible sources of disease. Dogs and people are not affected. If you own a cat or cats, they can get vaccinated, if necessary.
How to adopt: Visit Cortexa and you will fall in love with her! She is at 11129 Michigan Ave., Youngtown. Call 623-876-8778 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Other adoptable cats are at the shelter, 10807 96th Ave., Peoria. Call 623-773-2246, same hours and days, and at Surprise PetSmart, 13764 Bell Road.
— Beverly Bormann, Sun Cities 4 Paws
Ceara: Looking for home
With a name spelled as uniquely as her markings, Ceara is sure to bring plenty of uniquely fun times to her future forever home. The absolutely gorgeous 9-week-old domestic shorthair kitty found her way to the Arizona Humane Society, along with three littermates, after a Good Samaritan found them as underaged, orphaned strays. Also an important reminder to not kitnap kittens when possible!
At such a young age, they found themselves in the care of the shelter’s Bottle Baby ICU, a place for neonatal kittens to receive around-the-clock care from employees and volunteers until they are cleared for a Foster Hero home. Once Ceara and her siblings were healthy enough, they continued their growth journey with a loving foster where they also received care for tummy issues.
Initially scared and shy, the whole gang have become social and sweet kitties thanks to patience, TLC and socialization. While adopting a pet and accepting them into your family for their whole lives is an incredibly important feat, AHS understands it is not always feasible for everyone. Fostering is an incredible way to help not just the pet(s) you bring in but also open lifesaving space for other pets in need of care.
How to adopt: Interested adopters can meet cute Ceara at the Arizona Humane Society’s PetSmart Scottsdale location. Her adoption fee includes her spay surgery, current vaccinations, a microchip, and a follow-up wellness exam with a VCA Animal Hospital. Visit azhumane.org/adopt to learn more and see all of AHS’ adoptable pets. Additionally, AHS has launched a special where you can get a second cat or kitten for $0 when you adopt another cat or kitten!
— Kelsey Dickerson, Arizona Humane Society
Andy: Ready to play
According to Andy's paperwork, he is a 4-year-old, Pomeranian/American Eskimo blend who joined Friends for Life recently from the Yuma Humane Society.
Andy is an expert at the game of fetch, and as an added bonus knows basic commands such as "sit." He is a very well-mannered little guy who also likes to run and play, and he does well at mentally stimulating doggie games and puzzles. He's a bit active for his age, and would love to find a family who is ready to go!
He is looking for a home that is willing to work with him on enrichment activities to keep his clever brain stimulated!
He can't help but chase kitties if given the opportunity, so he'll need a feline-free home with kids 10 years and older and will need regular brushing. He is hanging out in a foster home so contact Friends for Life if you'd like a meet!
How to adopt: Andy is neutered, licensed, microchipped, and current on vaccinations and his adoption fee is $275. Friends for Life Animal Rescue is located at 952 W. Melody Ave. in Gilbert. For more information on Andy, other dogs, or cats looking for homes, call 480-497-8296 or visit azfriends.org.
— Jannelle Cosgriff, Friends for Life
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Adopt a pet: Pina, Uva and more pets in Phoenix-area shelters
